United Capital Source Logo

Key Equipment Finance Review - Pros, Cons, & How to Apply

Businesses of all sizes often need financing help to acquire new equipment. Whether your company needs to purchase or lease equipment, multiple financing options are available.

Key Equipment Finance, backed by KeyBank, provides various flexible financing options for essential business equipment. However, the company might not be right for every small business.

It doesn’t provide an online application or publish interest rates or fees. This review can help you decide if Key is suitable for your equipment financing needs by covering the benefits, drawbacks, and application process.

Specifically, we’ll answer these questions and more:

We will help you grow your small business.

Join our Newsletter for great tips and updates.

    What is Key Equipment Finance?

    analysis, biochemistry, biologist, financing solution

    Key Equipment Finance® is a bank-based finance provider to help companies with expensive equipment purchases. It’s a division of Key Bank.

    The company services businesses of all types across the US. It works with equipment manufacturers, dealers, and select resellers. Key provides equipment financing solutions for federal, state, and local government agencies. In addition, it partners with specialty finance lending and capital markets syndications.

    It has provided equipment financing for over 48 years. Key Equipment Finance maintains relationships with vendors and manufacturers that help support the process.

    Key launched in 1973 as KeyCorp leasing. It was rebranded as Key Equipment Finance in 2001. The company is headquartered in Denver, Colorado. Its management team provides executive leadership.

    How does Key Equipment Finance work?

    cash, flow, cash flow, pay

    • Loan Amounts: Up to 100% of equipment cost – no listed maximum.
    • Terms: Unlisted.
    • Rates: Unlisted.

    Equipment financing allows you to acquire needed business equipment on credit. In most cases, the lender pays the equipment vendor directly for the equipment. The business repays the loan in fixed payments, and the equipment is the collateral.

    Unfortunately, the lender provides no information on amounts, rates, or terms. Interested business owners must contact Key directly to learn more about financing options.

    The company provides a broad range of equipment finance solutions, including:

    • Tax-exempt leases.
    • Tax leases.
    • Conditional Sales Agreement/$1.00 Buyout.
    • Fair Market Value (FMV).
    • Equipment loans.
    • Operating leases.
    • Sale and Leaseback.
    • 10% Purchase plan.
    • TRAC leases.
    • Fixed and floating rate options.
    • Deferred payment.
    • Non-tax (finance) leases.
    • Preferred ship leases.
    • Bareboat charters.
    • Single Purpose Agricultural Facility loans and leases.
    • Progress payments.
    • 100% financing.
    • Software finance.
    • Syndication of loans and leases.
    • Lender financing and securitization solutions.

    What are the qualifications for Key Equipment Finance?

    list, icon, symbol

    Key Equipment Finance does not publish eligibility criteria but states it works with businesses of all sizes. You must contact the company or begin the application process to see if you qualify.

    For Key Equipment Finance, You Need to Know:

    startup, meeting, brainstorming, community

    It may be possible to avoid down payments and finance soft costs with 100% financing on business equipment. The company states that almost any equipment that generates revenue or reduces time and labor can be financed.

    It uses a solution-based approach to equipment financing. Business owners can leverage the company’s capital resources and vertical market expertise to acquire needed assets while helping to:

    • Optimize cash flow.
    • Maintain existing lines of credit.
    • Improve balance sheet ratios.
    • Leverage potential tax breaks.
    • Stay competitive with the latest technology.
    • Dispose of older equipment.

    The finance company may have a business loan affiliate program, but how it works is unclear. ISOs and loan brokers interested in partnering with the company should contact them for more information.

    How to apply to Key Equipment Finance:

    finance, bank, banking

    The company does not provide an online application nor publish information on what to expect during the application process. You must contact the finance company directly to learn more about applying. You can call them, fill out the customer service form, or visit a location for more information.

    Key Equipment Finance, Post Funding:

    The company states it’s possible to structure payments that match your revenue streams and seasonal cash flow. However, it doesn’t explain how that process works.

    The company doesn’t provide much additional information on post-funding. Ensure you understand the repayment structure and your obligations before signing any equipment loan or lease agreement.

    What are the advantages of Key Equipment Finance?

    A primary benefit of working with Key Equipment Finance is that the company has extensive experience in the industry. It’s also owned and backed by KeyBank, giving the company robust capital resources.

    Another advantage is that it offers highly flexible equipment financing structures. Key provides multiple equipment loans and leases with a wide range of payment structures.

    What are the disadvantages of Key Equipment Finance?

    One of the most significant drawbacks is that the company doesn’t offer an online application. You must contact them or visit a location to apply.

    It provides very little information on its products and no cost information. It’s impossible to compare costs with similar equipment finance providers.

    Key Equipment Finance Pros & Cons

    pros, and, cons

    Pros:

    • Experienced equipment finance provider.
    • Backed by KeyBank.
    • Flexible payment structures.
    • Multiple lease and loan options.

    Cons:

    • No online application.
    • Little information on products.
    • No information on interest rates or fees.
    • Can’t compare costs to other lenders.

    Apply for business funding through United Capital Source today.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is Key Equipment Finance legit?

    Yes, Key Equipment Finance is a legitimate lender. The company has provided equipment financing solutions for over 48 years. It’s also a division of KeyBank, one of the largest banks in the nation.

    What do Key Equipment Finance reviews typically focus on?

    feedback, group, communication

    We couldn’t locate online reviews for Key Equipment Finance. There are several user reviews for its parent company, KeyBank. However, those reviews are from customers using the bank’s consumer banking products and services.

    We will update this section in the future if online reviews become available.

    What if Key Equipment Finance declines my loan request?

    Since it doesn’t publish qualifications, you must contact the company to determine eligibility for your business. If you apply and get declined, the denial letter should explain why. If not, or if you need more information, you can call them directly.

    Fortunately, there are many lenders available if Key Equipment Finance doesn’t work for you. Most lenders provide upfront information on eligibility and rates. You’ll be able to find multiple options for equipment financing.

    You might also be interested in one of the following small business loans.

    Making Your Decision

    path, feet, shoes

    Key Equipment Finance is best suited for small business owners seeking flexible options with a traditional brick-and-mortar lender experience. While it doesn’t provide eligibility requirements, the company states it works with companies of all types.

    Business owners who want to compare costs or apply online must find a different equipment finance provider. Some traditional lenders provide more transparency on costs and qualifications.

    We rate Key Equipment Finance at 3.5 out of 5 based on the available information. It’s a highly reputable lender with many available loan and lease options. But the lack of upfront information and not having an online application option hold it back.

    Disclaimer: The Key Equipment Finance trademark is owned by KeyBank, and its use herein is for reference purposes only, and it does not indicate sponsorship or endorsement from KeyBank.

    Apply for business funding through United Capital Source today.

    Why Choose United Capital Source?

    Why businesses choose UCS:

    1
    Quick funding options that won’t affect credit
    2
    Access to 75+ lenders with multiple products to choose from
    3
    Financing up to $5 million in as few as 3 days
    4
    1500+ 5 star reviews from happy clients!

    Ready to grow your business? See how much you qualify for:

      Current monthly sales deposit average to your business bank account?

      How much Working Capital would you like for your business?

      AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT DE FL GA HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WV WI WY DC
      Need Instant Help?
      Call Us Now At:

        Current monthly sales deposit average to your business bank account?

        How much Working Capital would you like for your business?

        At UCS, we understand the value of your time and want to ensure that your application has a great chance of approval. Please take note of the following details before applying:
        • To be eligible, it’s necessary to have a business bank account with a well-established U.S. bank such as Chase, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Citibank, or other major banks. Unfortunately, online-based bank accounts like PayPal, Chime, CashApp, etc., are not permitted.
        • When describing your current average monthly sales deposits to your business bank account, please provide accurate information. Our approval process is based on your current business performance, and it’s essential to provide accurate details about your current sales in the first question on the application form. We cannot approve applications based on projected revenues after receiving funding.
        We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in ensuring a smooth and successful application process.
        5/5
        |
        1500+ 5 star reviews
        5/5
        1500+ 5 star reviews

        Take a minute, Get a FREE Consultation

        Your Connection is
        securely encrypted

        $1.2+ Billion Matched to US Businesses